Opinion: If Baltimore wants equity, it must build ownership near transit
Michael Eugene Johnson is creator of the Pikes Studio Cinema and cofounder of Black Men Unifying Black Men. This week, he argues that new development near transit needs to include ownership opportunities for average residents in order to foster distributed, generational wealth. The post Opinion: If Baltimore wants equity, it must build ownership near transit appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.
Black News 
By Michael Eugene Johnson
In Baltimore, cranes in the sky are often seen as signs of progress. New apartments rise near transit stations, promising convenience, density and modern living. But beneath that progress lies a hard truth: most of these developments are designed for renters, not owners and that has long-term consequences for who builds wealth in our city.
If we are serious about closing the wealth gap and creating lasting opportunity, Baltimore must rethink its approach to development. Specifically, the city should require ownership opportunities—such as condos, co-ops, and rent-to-own units—in every major transit-oriented development.
Right now, the model is simple. Developers build apartments near transit. Residents rent. Property values rise. And over time, the financial benefits flow upward—to landlords, investors and institutions. The people who live closest to opportunity are often the least likely to gain from it.
This is not just a housing issue. It is an economic justice issue.
(Photo Credit: Meta (Facebook)/ Michael Eugene Johnson)
Transit corridors—especially those along the Baltimore Metro Subway Link and Light Rail Link—are some of the most valuable and strategic areas in the city. Public dollars fund and maintain these systems. They connect residents to jobs, education and healthcare. And as neighborhoods around them improve, property values increase.
The question is: who benefits?
If the answer continues to be “primarily landlords,” then we are missing a critical opportunity to build generational wealth for Baltimore residents.
Home ownership remains one of the most reliable pathways to financial stability in America. It allows families to build equity, pass down assets, and invest in their communities. Renters, on the other hand, are often locked into a cycle where rising costs do not translate into long-term gains.
To change this dynamic, Baltimore should adopt a clear policy: any new residential development within walking distance of major transit should include a meaningful percentage of ownership units. A reasonable starting point would be 20 to 30 percent.
Of course, this idea will face resistance. Developers will argue that condos are riskier than rentals. Lenders will point to financing challenges. And some will say that many residents cannot afford to buy.
These concerns are real—but they are not insurmountable.
The city can offer incentives such as density bonuses, tax abatements and expedited permitting to offset developer risk. It can expand down payment assistance and partner with local lenders to make mortgages more accessible. It can also support innovative models like community land trusts and rent-to-own programs that lower barriers to entry.
In short, if Baltimore can subsidize development, it can also shape it.
This is not about eliminating rental housing. Baltimore needs a mix of options to serve different populations and life stages. But a city that builds only for renters is a city that limits who gets to build wealth.
Requiring ownership opportunities near transit is about balance. It ensures that as Baltimore grows, its residents are not just along for the ride—they have a stake in the destination.
The future of this city should not be one where opportunity is rented. It should be one where it is owned.
Baltimore has the chance to lead on this issue. The question is whether it has the will.
Because if we truly want inclusive growth, we must build more than buildings—we must build pathways to ownership.
The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the AFRO.
The post Opinion: If Baltimore wants equity, it must build ownership near transit appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.
